August 30, 2021
“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” – Flannery O’Connor. Authors have many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?
I can’t claim to write for any earth-shaking reason. I’m not trying to impart any deep message. I write because there are these stories stuck in my brain and the only way to get them out is to put them on paper (or the computer screen, if you want to get picky.)
I’ve told this story before, but the first piece of fiction I wrote was in eighth grade as a class assignment. I’d written essays previously, but this was my first attempt at a made-up story, and was inspired by a book I’d read recently. My teacher wasn’t thrilled, and I only got a C for a grade. But something inside clicked.
I didn’t write any more fiction for a long, long time. I wrote essays, articles for newsletters, and poetry—lots of poetry, some good and some bad—but no more stories. (Well, some poems were stories in a different form.) That was enough.
Then I ‘lost’ my poetry. I blame it on a right brain/left brain situation. But I also ‘found’ a story that wouldn’t become a poem, no matter how I looked at it. I tried writing it as a book and became addicted. Toni Morrison said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” That’s what I’m doing. Writing books I’d like to read.
See, I like my characters. Even the villains. I like discovering their stories. Yes, I go back and read my own books, trying not to cringe at things I could have written better, but enjoying the story.
I want other people to read my stories, too, and hopefully be entertained. That’s why I’m here and on other social media. Maybe, just maybe, someone will read a post and be inspired to give one of my books a shot.
Even if they don’t, I’ll keep writing. Jake Hennessey is bugging me. I’m trying to avoid him, but he’s gnawing at the back of my brain. So, I’ll get back to editing his story, in case someone besides me wants to read it.
Before I do that, I want to find out why the other authors on this hop write what they write. If you follow the links below, you can find out, too.
As always, until next time, please stay safe.
August 30, 2021
“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” – Flannery O’Connor. Authors have many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?
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1. Link your blog to this hop.
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3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
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My wife said the same, when I couldn’t find a book to read. I’m now writing book 6 of that series, with at least 2 more possible adventures hovering in my mind. And the lead character feels like a friend.
That’s why I had mixed feelings when I wrote the last book of my mystery series. My characters were like old friends, but the series at risk of getting stale.
I wrote poems for years, but then ‘lost’ them just as you did. Strange, but now I prefer writing novels.
I still miss writing poetry. Many of my poems were nature-related, and when there’s a spectacular sunset or a field of bright flowers, i want to capture the image in words.
Writing the story you want to read but doesn’t exist yet — YES, that’s exactly why I write.
“They” say there’s nothing new under the sun. But we can give our stories a wrinkle no one else has tried.
Yes. I wouldn’t choose to write alternate historical fiction as my main genre, but it’s fun to play with. So is adding libertarian elements into my apocalyptic. My people aren’t going to just form another government to replace the one that dissolved. They’re headed into wrinkly territory.
Several authors I know have said the same sort of thing – they write the books they want to read.
I love old British mysteries – I write romance. I guess I don’t fit in that box.
Wow – you got your first writer rejection at quite a young age.
Happy writing.
Tweeted.
I was experimenting with an ending that should have been evident without putting it into words- something about a warrior jumping off a cliff to evade capture- but the teacher thought I just hadn’t finished the story.
It’s awesome that you actually enjoy reading your own stories and really like your characters. Love that quote you share about writing a book if you want to read a book but it hasn’t been written yet.